Negotiation is never about what is placed on the table at first glance. It is about knowing what the other side values most, then offering it in a way that leaves them unable to refuse. Jo Kang-hyun understood this well. He studied Lee Seong-jun carefully, realizing that this returnee was not the type to chase after small rewards. Instead, his eyes were fixed far ahead, on a future only he could shape.
With that in mind, Jo Kang-hyun made his boldest move. He promised freedom — not symbolic, but real freedom. Where other hunters in the Association were bound to daily duties, Lee Seong-jun would face only one requirement: clear a dungeon once a month in the name of the Association. Beyond that, his time would be his own.
This condition was unusual, almost unheard of, and it made Lee Seong-jun pause. To him, forced obedience was chains he would never wear again. He had once ruled as the Blood Demon, living unbound by mortal law. Now, hearing that the Association would grant him almost complete independence, he silently admitted that the terms were favorable.
And Jo Kang-hyun had prepared more. He revealed that the contract could be renewed as Seong-jun grew stronger, meaning his pay would scale upward with his achievements instead of being locked in. The Association would also provide a dedicated team to handle byproducts from gates, ensuring Seong-jun would never waste time standing in long lines again. The final stroke was a promise of tax reduction, something even powerful guilds could rarely negotiate.
For Seong-jun, these were not empty perks. They meant time saved, money secured, and most importantly, space to live his own life without interference. He valued time with his family above all else, and this deal ensured he could preserve it. Compared to the immediate riches that guilds or unions might offer, these long-term advantages outweighed them all.
He smiled faintly, inwardly deciding. The Association, though weaker in wealth, had offered him something priceless — freedom and protection under a public institution's shield. It was enough.
When the car stopped in front of his home, Seong-jun finally spoke. Calmly, he accepted the contract. Relief washed over Jo Kang-hyun, who nearly trembled with joy. He had gambled everything on this negotiation, and it had paid off.
But the moment of victory was short-lived. As Seong-jun stepped out, his eyes suddenly sharpened. He had noticed something — a presence shadowing him since the underground parking lot. The returnee dismissed it lightly, but his words carried weight. An A-rank hunter like Jo Kang-hyun had sensed nothing, yet Seong-jun had.
That revelation shook Jo Kang-hyun. The gap in perception was staggering. For someone officially ranked F-class to detect what even high-level hunters could not… what kind of hidden strength did this man truly hold?
Meanwhile, in the shadows, the stalker himself was shaken to the core. Yoon Ki-seong, a villain who had evaded capture for over two decades thanks to his rare SS-rank skill of Intense Intuition, had been tasked with watching Seong-jun. He expected nothing more than routine surveillance. Yet when their eyes met, he felt his blood freeze.
To Yoon Ki-seong, that fleeting gaze was not from prey but from a predator. His intuition screamed of danger, louder than it ever had before. He could not believe this man was truly F-rank. In that moment, he knew if he stepped deeper into this assignment, he would not survive.
Fear tightening around his heart, Yoon Ki-seong made his decision. He sent a quick report back to Kim Dong-jun, the corrupt chief who had ordered this investigation, then melted back into the darkness. For once, the infamous villain who had never been caught was the one running away.
The board had shifted. The Hunter Association secured their contract with the returnee. Yet in the shadows, another game of pursuit and schemes had just begun.